State sector to recruit sports stars

The Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage said that the government is taking measures to support and encourage the sportsmen and women of this country who have been successful both nationally as well as internationally, and as a result of which, the government has decided to recruit such sportspersons to the government sector with the aim of retaining them in their respective sports.

As per a special request made by the Minister, the Cabinet of Ministers has shown great interest in this endeavour.

The President has advised that successful sports persons be recruited to all important government institutions to fill any vacancies. Prior to this, sports persons were only recruited to the forces and the police.

Therefore, the Ministry states that steps have been taken to give priority to sports persons.

As per a request made by the Minister of Sports from the Minister of Power and Energy Patali Champika Ranawaka, the Ministry of Power and Energy has already made arrangements to recruit 15 sports persons. Further, the institution has taken steps to promote the sports of the recruited sports persons.

The Ministry of Sports states that more sports persons will receive this chance as more vacancies at government institutions are being filled. Further, the Ministry of Sports would like to state that the Minister of Higher Education's attention has been drawn to initiate a programme to give bonus points to students who have been successful in their sporting careers when gaining entrance to State Universities.